Problems with your lawyer
How to Fire Your Attorney and Switch Lawyers Mid-Case
Last updated June 13, 2026
- Vet and (ideally) retain a replacement attorney first — verify their license and discipline record.
- Notify your current lawyer in writing that you're terminating the representation.
- Request your complete client file and an itemized final bill.
- Sort out fees owed and any unearned retainer to be refunded.
- If your case is in active litigation, the new lawyer files a substitution of counsel (court approval may be required).
attorney records across 37 states are searchable on this site right now.
Source: official state bar registration rosters.
You generally have the right to switch
Clients can usually change lawyers at will. The complications are practical: timing (firing counsel days before trial can be costly or need a judge's sign-off), money (you may owe for work already done), and continuity (a gap in representation on a deadline-driven case is risky). Plan the handoff rather than quitting cold.
Vet the replacement before you leap
Don't trade one problem for another. Before you retain a new attorney, confirm their license is active and check their disciplinary record — the same checks you'd run on any lawyer. Use the free lookup on this site for the states we cover.
Getting your file and money
Your file largely belongs to you; request it in writing. Any retainer money the lawyer hasn't earned should be refunded. If there's a dispute about fees, see our guide on disputing attorney fees.
Check an attorney's record
Look up any attorney's license status and disciplinary standing against the official state roster — free, no account.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reason to fire my lawyer?
Generally no — you can change counsel for any reason. The practical issues are timing, fees owed, and (in active litigation) any required court approval of the substitution.
Will I have to pay two lawyers?
You owe your former lawyer for work actually performed under your agreement (in contingency cases this is often handled as a lien on any recovery). The new lawyer's fee is separate. Clarify both up front.
How do I vet a new attorney quickly?
Search them on the official roster, confirm an active license, check their disciplinary standing, and confirm they're admitted in your state. It takes minutes and is free.
Related guides
- What to Do If You Have a Problem With Your Lawyer
- How to Check If a Lawyer Is Legitimate
- How to Dispute Legal Fees (Is My Lawyer Overcharging?)
Numbers on this page are computed from official rosters — see our data sources & methodology. This guide is part of the problems with your lawyer series.
This site republishes official public records and is not legal advice, a lawyer referral service, or a consumer reporting agency. Information here may not be used to make decisions about employment, tenancy, or credit (FCRA). Records are shown as published by their official sources and may contain errors or be out of date; consult the linked official source to verify. To correct or dispute a record, contact the licensing authority of record.